Optical Tool Setting and Control for Precision Lathe

The focus of this research was on the development of a machine vision system to provide automatic tool offset and tool nose radius compensation on a lathe used on the shop floor. To accomplish this work, a T-bed lathe which utilized a PC-based Computer Numerical Control was used. National Instruments Vision Builder for Automated Inspection was utilized to develop the machine vision software. A machine vision based optical tool setter was developed for checking the radius of lathe tools. A collimated blue light source along with a 5X microscope objective were used. Software written in Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 enabled software updates of offsets and tool nose radius. Overall, the system had an average repeatability of 8.2 µm, with an accuracy average of 2.5 µm, providing an opportunity for improved part tolerance

Market study: 3-D eyetracker

A market study of a proposed version of a 3-D eyetracker for initial use at NASA's Ames Research Center was made. The commercialization potential of a simplified, less expensive 3-D eyetracker was ascertained. Primary focus on present and potential users of eyetrackers, as well as present and potential manufacturers has provided an effective means of analyzing the prospects for commercialization

Keeping track of worm trackers

C. elegans is used extensively as a model system in the neurosciences due to its well defined nervous system. However, the seeming simplicity of this nervous system in anatomical structure and neuronal connectivity, at least compared to higher animals, underlies a rich diversity of behaviors. The usefulness of the worm in genome-wide mutagenesis or RNAi screens, where thousands of strains are assessed for phenotype, emphasizes the need for computational methods for automated parameterization of generated behaviors. In addition, behaviors can be modulated upon external cues like temperature, O2 and CO2 concentrations, mechanosensory and chemosensory inputs. Different machine vision tools have been developed to aid researchers in their efforts to inventory and characterize defined behavioral “outputs”. Here we aim at providing an overview of different worm-tracking packages or video analysis tools designed to quantify different aspects of locomotion such as the occurrence of directional changes (turns, omega bends), curvature of the sinusoidal shape (amplitude, body bend angles) and velocity (speed, backward or forward movement)

Elektroniikan ja ohjelmiston kehittäminen spektrometrimoduulia varten

A spectrometer is a device that measures properties of light at selected wavelengths. In this thesis, electronics and software are prototyped for a Hamamatsu C12880MA spectrometer module. The aim of the thesis was to design a spectrometer that is customizable according to customer's needs. This was met by designing and building a device and a software that interfaces with the spectrometer module, digitizes the measured spectrum, and transfers it to a computer. Software on the computer displays the spectrum and colorimetric values related to it. The capabilities of the device were tested by measuring various reference light sources, and the results showed that, for the most part, the device was working as expected.Spektrometri on laite, joka mittaa valon ominaisuuksia tietyillä aallonpituuksilla. Tässä työssä kehitettiin elektroniikka ja ohjelmisto Hamamatsu C12880MA -spektrometrimoduulia varten. Työn tavoitteena oli suunnitella spektrometri, joka on mukautettavissa asiakkaan tarpeiden mukaisesti. Työssä suunniteltiin ja rakennettiin laite ja ohjelmisto, jotka toimivat spektrometrimoduulin kanssa, digitoivat mitatun spektrin ja siirtävät sen tietokoneelle. Tietokoneohjelma näyttää mitatun spektrin ja siihen liittyviä kolorimetrisiä arvoja. Laitteen suorituskykyä testattiin mittaamalla eri mittanormaalivalolähteitä, ja saatujen tulosten perusteella laite toimi pääosin odotetulla tavalla

Vision Science and Technology at NASA: Results of a Workshop

A broad review is given of vision science and technology within NASA. The subject is defined and its applications in both NASA and the nation at large are noted. A survey of current NASA efforts is given, noting strengths and weaknesses of the NASA program

Multiport VNA Measurements

This article presents some of the most recent multiport VNA measurement methodologies used to characterize these highspeed digital networks for signal integrity. There will be a discussion of the trends and measurement challenges of high-speed digital systems, followed by a presentation of the multiport VNA measurement system details, calibration, and measurement techniques, as well as some examples of interconnect device measurements. The intent here is to present some general concepts and trends for multiport VNA measurements as applied to computer system board-level interconnect structures, and not to promote any particular brand or produc

America in Space - the First Decade. Linking Man and Spacecraft

NASA methods, systems, equipment, and facilities for information transfer between spacecraft and eart